Information on agroforestry systems (ASs) in Indonesia is provided in this leaflet. It is argued that because of their qualities ASs could serve as a model for community-level reforestation strategies that would not only provide multiple social economic and environmental functions but also support rural development and rebuild species-rich patches in agricultural landscapes. It is emphasized that technical economic social institutional and legislative issues need to be addressed to foster this development. Most of the millions of ha of ASs in Indonesia have been created by swiddeners and most of these rubber fruit and dipterocarp ASs are still managed by them. A survey showed that ASs are very similar to natural forest formations with biodiversity levels reaching 30% for trees 50% for treelets and epiphytes up to 95% for lianas 100% for undergrowth plants 60% for birds and close to 100% for soil mesofauna. Among under-utilized agroforestry products timber may be the most promising agroforestry commodity for the future. Acknowledging the legitimacy of traditional tenure rights and empowering local communities to manage the resources on which they depend is essential to the protection and further development of ASs
Publication year
1996
Authors
Garrity, D.; De, Foresta.H.; Michon, G.
Keywords
Agroforestry, Fruit trees, Forest resources, Indigenous knowledge, Rubber, Economics, Environmental protection
